A fast-growing Midlands construction consultancy has been appointed to support one of the biggest residential schemes ever to be built in Leeds city centre. Birmingham-based The Construction Consultants (TCC) has been appointed to support the £85 million Castleton Works scheme which will provide nearly 400 build-to-rent apartments. Detailed planning permission
Proposals for a new development of 160 homes in Nuneaton will bring a raft of benefits to the local area – providing affordable housing, new public open space and investment into local infrastructure. The proposed Bellway development, to the east of Plough Hill Road, would deliver 40 affordable homes to
United Trust Bank (UTB) Property Development has completed a £27.8m facility to support a £40m build-to-rent (BTR) scheme in Canary Wharf. The development is being undertaken by Lotus Living, a privately owned and experienced BTR developer-operator with a strong track record of delivering high specification BTR schemes across Greater London
VIVID, the fifth largest housebuilder among housing associations in England and a leading provider of affordable homes, is excited to announce the completion of 18 new affordable homes at the former Odeon cinema on Laburnum Grove in North End, Portsmouth. This redevelopment project, completed in partnership with Imperial Homes, transforms
Affordable housing provider SO Resi (part of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing) has launched its third Rent to Buy and second London Living Rent scheme in two years, SO Flexi Southall. The development will be available through its dedicated ‘SO Flexi’ brand, which offers a host of affordable rental schemes and
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, was joined Cllr Sam Smith, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, and Cllr John Clarke, Leader of Gedling Borough Council and leading figures from both councils to celebrate the start of work on 763 much-needed new homes at Top Wighay, Nottinghamshire,
Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, has announced its transformative plans to create 313 new homes and a 68-unit extra care facility in Driffield. The development, which recently received planning approval, is part of Keepmoat’s wider commitment to delivering high-quality, multi-tenure housing across the UK. The housebuilder is working in partnership with
Vistry Group has exchanged contracts with Milton Keynes City Council to create a new 930-home village to the east of Newport Pagnell. The £270m Tickford Fields development is 45 hectares in size with 31% of the properties available on the affordable market. The deal marks a milestone in the creation
Hopkins Homes, part of the untypical housebuilding group, has completed a land deal that will bring new homes to a village north of Colchester. The 23-acre site in Great Horkesley benefits from outline planning permission for 100 homes and a reserved matters application is due to be submitted in April.
London Square has purchased the Leegate Shopping Centre in South East London from Galliard Homes, paving the way for a major residential-led regeneration scheme. The vacant 1967-built shopping centre, acquired for an undisclosed sum, has planning consent for 562 homes, including 173 affordable units, alongside nearly 50,000 sq ft of
A fast-growing Midlands construction consultancy has been appointed to support one of the biggest residential schemes ever to be built in Leeds city centre. Birmingham-based The Construction Consultants (TCC) has been appointed to support the £85 million Castleton Works scheme which will provide nearly 400 build-to-rent apartments. Detailed planning permission has been granted by Leeds City Council The development, on the regenerated west side of Leeds city centre near The Junction and Wellington Place, will also provide three shop units, a gym, a padel court, roof gardens and roof terraces, open green space and parking facilities with electric vehicle charging points.. TCC has been involved since the initial project stages and is providing quantity surveying and cost consultancy for the development. The project developer – Solaris – has successfully developed similar schemes at The Crown Works and The Emporium in Birmingham and The Chapel in Manchester TCC co-founder and director Alex Pimley said, “This is a prestigious scheme in a fast-evolving part of Leeds city centre which will create an urban community designed around the principles of sustainability and internal amenities, with ample green space to be enjoyed by residents. We are delighted to be involved in such an imaginative scheme.” TCC has a wealth of experience across public and private sectors including industrial, commercial, retail, leisure, care and residential projects. Headquartered in Bennett’s Hill, TCC is a multi-disciplined consultancy providing specialist project management, quantity-surveying, employers agent, building surveying and health and safety services to a wide range of sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Proposals for a new development of 160 homes in Nuneaton will bring a raft of benefits to the local area – providing affordable housing, new public open space and investment into local infrastructure. The proposed Bellway development, to the east of Plough Hill Road, would deliver 40 affordable homes to help address the housing shortage in the borough. A report in 2022 showed that there were more than 3,000 households on Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s housing register waiting for an affordable home in the borough. The planning application for the 16-acre site, which has been brought forward by Bellway Strategic Land, includes new public open space, including a children’s play area, natural play trails, footpaths and cycleways to promote outdoor activity for both new and existing residents. Bellway would also deliver improvements to local roads, with traffic calming planned in Plough Hill Road near Galley Common Infant School to reduce traffic speeds and improve safety for pedestrians and children, and improvements to pavements and crossing points along Plough Hill Road and Coleshill Road. In addition, the housebuilder would provide funding towards the planned improvement scheme for the Plough Hill Road/Coleshill Road junction. Chris O’Hanlon, Planning Manager for Bellway Strategic Land, said: “We have worked closely with the local community to listen to their views and ensure our proposals for this sustainable site off Plough Hill Road meet their needs. “This site offers an ideal opportunity to help Nuneaton respond to the shortage of housing in the borough, as well as to promote healthier and more sustainable lifestyles by providing new open space and making roads in the area safer. The development enjoys an accessible location within easy reach of local shops and services, reducing the need to travel by car. “We also anticipate making significant financial contributions towards improvements to local infrastructure as part of the planning agreement for the development. “We have submitted a full planning application at this stage so that, should planning permission be granted, we will be able to press ahead quickly with the delivery of these much-needed new homes.” The new homes would include a mix of 120 one, two, three and four-bedroom properties for private sale, 11 two and three-bedroom homes for shared ownership, and 29 one, two, three and four-bedroom homes for affordable rent. Each of the homes would have solar PV panels to help residents reduce their energy bills and carbon emissions, while 38 per cent of the homes would be accessible or adaptable for wheelchair users. Open space would make up more than a third of the site, and as well as providing space for recreation and social activities, it will also create new wildlife habitats to promote biodiversity. More information about the work of Bellway Strategic Land can be found at https://www.bellwaystrategicland.co.uk/. Bellway West Midlands is building new homes across Warwickshire and the wider region, with details available at https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/west-midlands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
United Trust Bank (UTB) Property Development has completed a £27.8m facility to support a £40m build-to-rent (BTR) scheme in Canary Wharf. The development is being undertaken by Lotus Living, a privately owned and experienced BTR developer-operator with a strong track record of delivering high specification BTR schemes across Greater London and Home Counties. The development, known as Bellerive House, comprises the conversion of a redundant office building to 50 rental apartments ranging from studio to 2 bedrooms, and the creation of 9 new rooftop airspace duplex apartments. In addition, the ground floor will offer 3000sqft of commercial space and parking. Like all of Lotus Living’s build-to-rent developments, each apartment will be presented to a very high standard with professional management, consistent policies and Lotus Living Resident friendly app. Rents will range from £2,200.00 to £4,600.00 pcm. The first apartments should be ready to move in by Q1 2026. UTB’s £27.8m facility supports the acquisition of the freehold of the building, conversion and construction costs, S106 and CIL liabilities, professional fees, interest and a 4-month VAT bridge. Paul Flannery, Senior Director – Property Development, United Trust Bank, commented: “We’re very keen to increase our lending to experienced specialist developers of BTR, PBSA and Co-living accommodation and I am delighted UTB is funding this exciting BTR scheme for Lotus Living. Raj and the team have created an outstanding portfolio of attractive homes in sought after locations, and at the same time established a reputation as an excellent landlord. Bellerive House will provide a great place to live in a vibrant area of London, and I look forward to UTB supporting many more successful Lotus Living schemes in the future.” Rajiv Nehru, CEO – Lotus Living, commented: “Paul and the wider UTB property development team have been a pleasure to work with. It’s clear that they share our vision and commitment to creating high-quality, affordable rental homes designed to meet the diverse needs of Londoners. When completed early next year, Bellerive House will provide attractive, well-connected and comfortable homes, conveniently located in the heart of Docklands, just a few minutes from Central London and City Airport.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
VIVID, the fifth largest housebuilder among housing associations in England and a leading provider of affordable homes, is excited to announce the completion of 18 new affordable homes at the former Odeon cinema on Laburnum Grove in North End, Portsmouth. This redevelopment project, completed in partnership with Imperial Homes, transforms a notable local site into much-needed housing. The scheme comprises 12 houses and 6 apartments, with 15 homes available for social rent and 3 for shared ownership. This project not only provides affordable housing but also repurposes the old, well-known local cinema site to benefit the community. The site includes road names such as Picture House Mews and a flat block named Mather Court, after the cinema’s architect Andrew Mather, honouring its cinematic history. Tristan Samuels, Group Development & New Business Director at VIVID, stated: “We’re committed to providing as many people as possible with the opportunity to have a place to call home. It’s been great to repurpose such a well-known space to provide homes to people who need them. I look forward to our customers moving in and enjoying their new homes.” Ben Olds, Land Director at Imperial Homes, said: “Imperial Homes have once again successfully worked in partnership with VIVID on the regeneration of the iconic Odeon Cinema on London Road Portsmouth. The scheme supports 18 new dwellings (a mixture of houses and apartments) following the demolition of the derelict and fire damaged cinema.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Affordable housing provider SO Resi (part of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing) has launched its third Rent to Buy and second London Living Rent scheme in two years, SO Flexi Southall. The development will be available through its dedicated ‘SO Flexi’ brand, which offers a host of affordable rental schemes and operates as an offshoot of SO Resi, which acts as MTVH’s existing Shared Ownership arm. SO Flexi Southall is a collection of one and two-bedroom apartments nestled in the established residential area of Beaconsfield Road and within a five-minute walk of Southall railway station. All brand-new apartments at SO Flexi Southall will be available through the London Living Rent scheme for those who live and work in the London Borough of Ealing. Residents will have access to landscaped communal outdoor space, their own private balconies or terraces and a car club membership for three years. According to Yahoo Finance!, average rents in London are predicted to be 2.4% higher than in 2024, with a record monthly high of £2,695 per month, compared with the UK average of £1,341[1]. SO Flexi Southall offers rents at a discount of approximately one third of the local median household income on a three-year contract, with rents starting at £956 per month for a one-bedroom apartment and £1,062 for a two-bedroom apartment. Tenants will be encouraged to use the savings from the discounted rent to save up for a deposit and purchase the property using Shared Ownership at the end of the rental term, with the view that all homes will be sold in ten years. To qualify for SO Flexi Southall and London Living Rent, residents must live and work in the London Borough of Ealing, have a formal rental tenancy in place, or live in an informal arrangement with family or friends as a result of struggling with housing costs, not own a home or be able to buy a home on the open market, and have a household income below £67,000. Kevin Sims, Director of SO Resi, comments: “London will always hold an attraction for people and at SO Resi, we don’t believe that anyone should miss out in living in their dream location due to affordability issues or soaring private rental costs. Our third SO Flexi development reinforces that London Living Rent and Rent to Buy remains a core part of SO Resi, and as such we are investing heavily in this scheme and rolling out homes in key locations across the capital. “Ealing Borough Council has confirmed that they will need almost 28,000 affordable new homes over the next 15 years, and 70% of these should be available at social or affordable rent[2]. Last year, we also delivered 52 apartments at SO Flexi Acton in the borough and so far at SO Flexi Southall, we have seen unprecedented demand with over 540 enquiries to date. This demand signifies the need for affordable rent in the capital and the SO Flexi scheme offers a solution for people unable to save alongside costly rental prices.” Southall offers a host of amenities for a range of buyers including young professionals and families. From a plethora of cafés and restaurants to Hanwell Zoo, Southall offers an endless list of South Asian restaurants, a vibrant market selling food and handmade jewellery and a range of green open spaces. SO Flexi Southall is also within a five minute walk from Southall railway station offering services along the Elizabeth Line with access to Paddington in 20 minutes and Heathrow Airport in nine minutes. By road, Southall offers quick access to the M4 for journeys to the west of the UK. Currently available at SO Flexi Southall is a collection of one and two-bedroom apartments, available from just £956 per month. All applicants to SO Flexi Southall must live and work in the London Borough of Ealing, have a formal rental tenancy in place, or live in an informal arrangement with family or friends as a result of struggling with housing costs, not own a home or be able to buy a home on the open market, and have a household income below £67,000. To find out more, visit www.soflexi.co.uk call 020 8607 0550. [1] https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/uk-rent-prices-average-london-rightmove-060001786.html [2] https://www.ealing.gov.uk/news/article/2224/new_plans_for_tackling_housing_shortage Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, was joined Cllr Sam Smith, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, and Cllr John Clarke, Leader of Gedling Borough Council and leading figures from both councils to celebrate the start of work on 763 much-needed new homes at Top Wighay, Nottinghamshire, triggering the start of a £6 million investment to bolster local services. Andy Reynolds, Managing Director of Vistry Group’s partnerships division in the South East Midlands, said: “We were delighted to welcome key figures to celebrate the start of work on these much-needed new family homes at Top Wighay. Over the past year, we have consulted with the community to finalise the details of the scheme and ensure it meets local people’s needs and now we are on site, ready to create a new community of high-quality properties for people in the area to call home.” Situated approximately 2km north of Hucknall town centre and to the east of Annesley Road (A611), the £191m development forms part of Nottinghamshire County Council’s (NCC) flagship mixed-use scheme. The 86-acre site, contracted in 2023 with NCC and earmarked for development for more than a decade, will also include 21 acres of employment land, a local centre with retail offering and a new primary school. Now the ceremonial spade has been placed in the ground, work will start imminently on the 763 one-, two-, three, four-, and five-bedroom homes, maisonettes and apartments. Of the new homes, 269 will be affordable properties, 97 will be available for private rental and 397 will be on sale on the open market through Vistry’s Linden, Bovis and Countryside brands. In addition to new housing, the development will also offer benefits to the wider community, with almost £6million designated to bolstering local services. This includes £4,750,000 for education, £800,000 for highways and bus improvements, and £436,000 towards healthcare. The scheme also includes new parks, sports facilities, wildlife corridors, pedestrian and cycle routes, a new primary school, and an on-site Skills Academy in partnership with Chameleon School of Construction. This innovative training initiative will aim to encourage local people not in employment or training back into work. Cllr Sam Smith, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “This milestone marks a significant step forward in a project that will bring lasting benefits to Nottinghamshire. From a brand-new primary school to improved transport links and employment opportunities, this investment will enhance local services and create a vibrant, sustainable community for generations to come.” Cllr Jenny Hollingsworth, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy at Gedling Borough Council, said: “I am delighted that work is beginning to provide 763 much needed homes, together with improved infrastructure, including highways, education, health, and a local centre. “The plan for on-site skills and training is particularly welcomed and will provide great opportunities for local people and the local economy. “The site has been allocated for development for some time so it’s particularly good to see that this significant investment has allowed this project to get underway. I very much look forward to following its progress over the next few years ” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, has announced its transformative plans to create 313 new homes and a 68-unit extra care facility in Driffield. The development, which recently received planning approval, is part of Keepmoat’s wider commitment to delivering high-quality, multi-tenure housing across the UK. The housebuilder is working in partnership with Homes England, East Riding Council and Beyond Housing to provide much-needed housing stock across Yorkshire. Of the 313 homes to be built, 30 percent will be designated as affordable housing with 26 being sold as affordable housing for delivery through East Riding Council. The scheme will be 100 percent gas-free, aligning with modern energy-efficient housing standards. Located on the northeastern fringe of Driffield, the development is within close proximity to a range of local amenities including supermarkets, pubs and schools. The site also provides direct transport links to Scarborough and Hull. A new four-arm roundabout will be constructed to connect the development to the A614 and provide an access route to the east of Driffield, ensuring access for all residents. Daniel Crew, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, Yorkshire East, said: “We are delighted to secure planning approval for this exciting development in Driffield. This project represents a significant investment in the area, and we look forward to working alongside our partners to bring high-quality, energy-efficient homes to the community. A key sustainability feature of the project is that the scheme will be 100 percent gas-free, aligning with our goal to create both sustainable homes and communities. “Driffield is a fantastic location, offering a range of amenities and strong transport links, making it an attractive option for families, first-time buyers, and those in need of extra care accommodation. ” Julie Robinson, Head of Disposals (North) at Homes England, added: “As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, increasing the supply of quality homes is one of our key objectives. “The completion of the building lease marks a significant milestone for the project. The construction of a roundabout to connect the development to the A614 is a key piece of early infrastructure in advance of housing completions. Continuous, proactive collaboration with all stakeholders has played a huge part in getting this project over the line. “We look forward to seeing Keepmoat’s progress as they develop this new community in Driffield.” Keepmoat is a top 10 UK partnership homebuilder with a track-record of delivering quality homes in regions across the UK. To date, Keepmoat has built over 35,000 homes, transforming brownfield sites into thriving new communities. For more information, please visit www.keepmoat.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry Group has exchanged contracts with Milton Keynes City Council to create a new 930-home village to the east of Newport Pagnell. The £270m Tickford Fields development is 45 hectares in size with 31% of the properties available on the affordable market. The deal marks a milestone in the creation of a new residential community of exceptional quality for Newport Pagnell and the broader Milton Keynes area. With outline planning consent in place, the site will accommodate up to 930 new homes, along with community, education, and recreation facilities. The development will provide play areas, sports pitches (with pavilions and parking), and new pedestrian and cycle links. From one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom homes, the housing mix will cater to a diverse set of needs, with over 30% of the homes classed as affordable and therefore accessible to those on lower incomes. Incorporating principles of sustainability, such as air source heat pumps and using open-panel timber frame construction, the development is set to become a model for environmentally conscious living. The development will also aim to retain all established trees, tree groups, hedgerows, and water features, with conscientious mitigation strategies for any displaced features. The green and blue corridors woven throughout the site will not only enhance the living experience for residents but will also create a nurturing habitat for local wildlife. As part of this holistic vision, Vistry Group will introduce an on-site Skills Academy. This dedicated facility will provide valuable educational and vocational opportunities for college students and unemployed people in the local area, further building on the opportunities the scheme will provide for the community. Vistry Group and Milton Keynes City Council will pool their expertise together to deliver the Tickford Fields development in a cost-efficient and timely manner. With a proven track record in partnering and delivery within the housing sector, the collaboration is set to reshape the residential landscape of Newport Pagnell. Andy Reynolds, Managing Director of Vistry Group’s partnerships division in the South East Midlands, said: “It’s exciting to be working together with Milton Keynes City Council on this major new development that aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable, and community-centric places to live. We are determined to create a scheme that not only blends seamlessly with its surroundings but sets new benchmarks in modern living and offers benefits to the local community.” Councillor Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking at Milton Keynes City Council, said: “Improving access to affordable housing is at the heart of our Council Plan and I’m pleased that this development will not only deliver much-needed affordable homes for local families, but also energy-efficient and more sustainable properties that will ensure a greener future for our city. I look forward to seeing the development progress into a new thriving community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hopkins Homes, part of the untypical housebuilding group, has completed a land deal that will bring new homes to a village north of Colchester. The 23-acre site in Great Horkesley benefits from outline planning permission for 100 homes and a reserved matters application is due to be submitted in April. Subject to planning approval, work is expected to begin on site in January 2026, with the first legal completions in December 2026. Duncan Jackson, Managing Director of Hopkins Homes, part of the untypical group said: “Our track record of creating distinctive new homes, reinforced by our five-star customer satisfaction rating, has established Hopkins Homes as a trusted choice for landowners throughout East Anglia.” Duncan added: “With sustainability at the core of our developments, we’re committed to building communities that thrive for generations. Our most recent acquisition in Great Horkesley will be no exception, with placemaking at its heart and a range of distinctive new homes that give a nod to our heritage whilst providing energy efficient modern living.” Great Horkesley has been identified for housing development within the adopted Local Plan and the proposed scheme will include 30 affordable homes, contributing to the local community’s housing diversity and accessibility. Furthermore, the development will incorporate a generous 5.1 hectares of public open space, including a new community allotment and a Scouts and Girl Guide hut. Hopkins Homes has considerable experience in developing homes in Essex, with properties currently for sale at River Reach, Mistley and Beaulieu, Chelmsford. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
London Square has purchased the Leegate Shopping Centre in South East London from Galliard Homes, paving the way for a major residential-led regeneration scheme. The vacant 1967-built shopping centre, acquired for an undisclosed sum, has planning consent for 562 homes, including 173 affordable units, alongside nearly 50,000 sq ft of ground-floor commercial space. The site will be redeveloped into a 15-storey residential tower, as approved by Lewisham Council in July 2023. Construction is set to commence later this year. “This acquisition marks a new era for Lee town centre, delivering much-needed homes and a vibrant retail and leisure hub for both the existing community and new residents,” said London Square chief executive Adam Lawrence. The deal is London Square’s 14th acquisition since being taken over by Aldar at the end of 2023. It follows the company’s recent purchase of Ransome’s Wharf in Battersea earlier this year. Other notable acquisitions include a former convent site in Chelsea, the Grade II-listed Surrey County Hall in Kingston, and Westminster Tower. London Square currently holds 14 sites across 10 London boroughs, with a development pipeline exceeding 2 million sq ft. Work is already in progress on 10 of these sites, supporting the developer’s ambition to build more than 7,000 homes in the capital over the next five years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
